The days of Lucas Leiva’s lengthy Liverpool career could be numbered.
Liverpool is willing to sell Lucas for the right price in the final weeks of the summer 2015 transfer window, The Liverpool Echo’s James Pearce, The Telegraph’s Chris Bascombe and Sky Sports reporeted Monday. Lucas has fallen down manager Brendan Rodgers’ midfield pecking order and the Brazilian might be willing to accept a squad players’ role in the 2015-16 season.
Lucas has made 275 appearances for Liverpool since joining the Reds from Brazilian club Gremio in 2007. He only has scored five goals in his Anfield career but has made tremendous contributions as a holding midfielder.
However, Lucas, 28, has struggled to retain his place in the starting lineup in recent campaigns under Rodgers due to injury, loss of form and the manager’s apparent preference for other players.
Rodgers omitted Lucas from the gameday squad Sunday for Liverpool’s season-opening win over Stoke City. Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Emre Can each played as defensive midfielders during the contest, leaving no room for Lucas. Rodgers’ decision reportedly disappointed Lucas, who must consider whether to push for a transfer between now and Sept. 1 — transfer deadline day.
Lucas’ contract expires in 2017, and Liverpool values him around £8 million ($12.5 million), Pearce reports. Lucas has been linked with Italian club Inter Milan in previous transfer windows, and The Star reports Inter and West Ham could pursue him in the coming weeks. Interested clubs must be ready to pay up for the Brazilian international.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@TeleFootball
